Abby Shapiro – USCIBhttps://www.uscib.org
The Power to Shape Policy. The Power to Expedite Trade.Wed, 21 Feb 2018 14:49:51 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.5UN Environment Assembly Focuses on Role of Businesshttps://www.uscib.org/un-environment-assembly-focuses-on-role-of-business/
Mon, 20 Mar 2017 18:52:43 +0000http://www.uscib.org/?p=22938Kennedy representing the Business and Industry Major Group at UNEP meetings in Nairobi

Norine Kennedy, USCIB’s expert on environment and climate change policy and one of two official business focal point representatives for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), recently attended UN Environment Assembly (UNEA3) preparatory meetings in Nairobi (March 7-10). UNEA represents the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment with universal membership of all 193 UN Member States along with non-governmental organizations and the private sector. The meetings in Nairobi began discussions to develop a new framework of of pollution-related issues for potential decisions and pledges at UNEA3; a substantial element of this framework will be the role of business in causing, remediating and minimizing pollution. UNEA3 will take place from December 4-6 in Nairobi.

UNEA3’s theme will be, “Towards a Pollution Free Planet.” In interventions during last week’s preliminary meetings, government and UNEP officials linked this broad topic with other policy concepts underpinning regulatory efforts, including the circular economy and sustainable consumption. Several governments also emphasized connections with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“At this early stage, most attention seems to be directed at plastics in the marine environment, whether in the form of micro-plastics and smaller debris, or as plastic bottles and plastic bags, with the push coming from Nordic countries, the EU and some African countries,” observed Kennedy. “Other issues under the other pollution sub-headings could still be proposed.

Led by UNEP Executive Director, Erik Solheim, and echoed by numerous government representatives, UNEA3 preparations for UNEA3 are placing a strong focus on business and industry as a source of solutions, resources, and actions, yet much needs to be done to afford adequate time and attention to contributions that business has made to addressing environmental challenges. “In spite of extensive partnership and engagement by business with UNEP over decades, discussions last week frequently seemed to assume that business and industry was not already engaged in environmental and sustainability management,” noted Kennedy. In her intervention on behalf of Business and Industry, Kennedy reminded governments and UNEP of the business community’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and role in advancing innovative technologies to further all elements of sustainability.

Questions remain about how UNEP will identify and invite important business entities to the table, with an emphasis on geographical and sectoral representation, rather than anecdotal examples and individual CEOs. USCIB will continue to advocate for U.S. business involvement and representation, working with UNEP and the U.S. Administration.

Due to some unanticipated scheduling circumstances, we are postponing the USCIB International Leadership Award Dinner, which had been scheduled for November 9. We will inform you of the new date, which at this point is anticipated to be early Spring, just as soon as it is set, and we hope this change in timing will not affect your participation. Thank you for understanding and for your continued support.

USCIB is delighted to invite you to join us at the 2016 International Leadership Award Dinner in New York honoring Ajay Singh Banga, president and chief executive officer of MasterCard. Each year this gala event attracts several hundred industry leaders, government officials and members of the diplomatic community to celebrate open markets and the recipient of USCIB’s highest honor.

Established in 1980, USCIB’s International Leadership Award is presented to a senior business executive who has made significant policy contributions to world trade and investment, and to improving the global competitive framework in which American business operates. Join us for what will be a truly memorable evening!

We would like to invite you to attend the North America Trade & Working Capital Conference, as a guest of USCIB.

Venue: 32 Old Slip, Convene | New York, US
Date: June 16, 2016

Limited amount of complimentary corporate passes available for those who are exporters, importers, manufacturers, distributors, producers and traders of physical goods only. All others can receive a 15% discount with code: USCIB15

Returning to New York on June 16, GTR‘s annual conference incorporates a new twist for 2016. Corporate treasury, procurement, fintech and supply chain finance sectors will gather to discuss, debate and assess the key techniques being utilised to maximise efficiencies across physical and financial supply chains and international trade flows. Just some of the conference highlights are listed below.

Keynote address
Best-selling author on digital banking, Chris Skinner, will discuss the fintech revolution and examine the influence of key disruptive trends such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.

Supplier Financing 2.0
A selection of today’s leading players from the payable financing sectors will showcase their respective solutions via a 12 minute pitch, followed by an 8 minute Q&A, while an expert panel of supply chain leaders from Trade Advisory Network, Transammonia and Tanzor offer their thoughts on the benefits and drawbacks of each solution.

Receivables Finance Afternoon Workshop
The market’s leading receivables financing practitioners from HSBC, Terex, ANZ- America and GE Capital will illustrate how various techniques can benefit sales development, as well as outline practical use challenges / requirements.

Extensive networking opportunities throughout the conference will offer delegates unrivalled access to the market’s leading fintech thought-leaders, treasury and supply chain experts, and corporate decision-makers all under one roof.

Congratulations to USCIB Marketing and Advertising Committee Vice Chair Carla Michelotti, who has been elected to the American Advertising Federation’s Advertising Hall of Fame! Carla, who retired recently as Executive Vice President and General Counsel with Leo Burnett, continues to provide leadership to our work via the International Chamber of Commerce to raise standards and promote best practices in advertising self-regulation worldwide.

USCIB CEO Appointed to IOE Management Board

USCIB CEO and President Peter Robinson at a Press Conference during the COP-20 Conference in Lima, Peru.

USCIB is pleased to announce that President and CEO Peter Robinson was appointed to the International Organization of Employers Management Board and as IOE vice president for North America. Congratulations to Peter also on his recertification in February by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) as a Certified Association Executive. ASAE represents more than 21,000 association executives and industry partners who manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies and voluntary organizations both in the United States and around the world. The center for association leadership, ASAE believes associations have the power to transform society for the better.

Staff Changes at ICC NYC United Nations Liaison Office

We are pleased to share changes within the ICC United Nations Liaison office, led by Louise Kantrow, ICC’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

In February, Tanya Kar joined ICC’s New York-based team as Program Manager for UN Engagement. Tanya comes to ICC with considerable relevant experience, a Masters Degree in International Affairs with a concentration in Economic Development, teaching experience and internships at the World Bank and UNDP. And, she interned for ICC supporting the work in the lead up to the Rio+20 Conference.

Rachel Sander will continue to act as the ICC Program Associate for UN Engagement. Rachel has been working for ICC on a half time basis while studying for a Masters Degree in International Affairs at the New School. Rachel’s expanded responsibilities will include greater emphasis on our communication activities including working with ICC Headquarters on the preparation of a quarterly newsletter highlighting ICC at the UN and the 2030 Agenda.

SAVE THE DATE!

2015 USCIB International Leadership Award Dinner

November 9, 2015

Waldorf Astoria

301 Park Avenue
New York, NY

Reception: 6:00pm Dinner: 7:00pm

USCIB’s International Leadership Award recognizes vision, international success and excellence in leadership.

USCIB invites you to our annual dinner as we return to New York this year to honor long-time member AT&T! This event attracts several hundred industry leaders, government officials and members of the diplomatic community to celebrate open markets and the recipient of USCIB’s highest honor.

Randall Stephenson is chairman and chief executive officer of AT&T Inc., a global leader in providing fast, highly secure and mobile connectivity to everything on the Internet – everywhere, at every moment and on every device.

Established in 1980, USCIB’s International Leadership Award is presented to a senior business executive who has made significant policy contributions to world trade and investment, and to improving the global competitive framework in which American business operates. Join us for what will be a truly memorable evening!

Over 200 government officials, business leaders, representatives from international organizationsincluding the United Nations and OECD, and staff and friends of the USCIB gathered at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York to honorRandall Stephenson, chairman and CEO of AT&T – a longtime USCIB member – and to celebrate 70 years of USCIB’s business leadership. Stephenson was presented with USCIB’s International Leadership Award for outstanding contributions to open markets and for expanding global trade and investment.

In 1945, American executives founded USCIB as an independent organization to represent the views of the U.S. business community on the international stage. Seventy years later, USCIB celebrated this calling at its annual Award Dinner, an event established in 1980 to honor leadership in improving the competitive arena in which U.S. companies do business.

Participants took a trip down memory lane during the 2015 gala, as the venue recreated the look and feel of the 1940s. During dinner, a band gave a well-received musical performance featuring songs from the 1940s to the present as a slideshow projected images of USCIB historical highlights. The program ended with a standing ovation.

As he accepted the 2015 International Leadership Award, Stephenson commended USCIB for its seven-decade commitment to free trade. He said that when countries erect barriers, either against people or commerce, the results are always self-defeating. But when people connect and trade flourishes, growth and prosperity will follow. He called for reforms in immigration and education, arguing for the need to make America’s workforce more inclusive and productive, and he hailed the Trans-Pacific Partnership as a “monumental achievement,” as trade is an effective way of increasing both the size and productivity of the workforce. He also made a plea to set a good example for younger generations to not text and drive; AT&T recently spearheaded its “It Can Wait” campaign warning against the dangers of texting behind the wheel.

“Today, the problems and responsibilities that have faced American business have increased. If our American system of free enterprise is to achieve its objective of a high level of economic prosperity here at home, it must, through concerted action and cooperative leadership promote the needed expansion of international trade,” Robinson read from the report. “Only if you assume your share of our joint responsibility, only if you work closely with your associates in this country and abroad, can American business look to the future with confidence.”

He noted that not much has changed between now and 1946: “Despite the progress of the 70 years, today, and in the future, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the mission of promoting economic cooperation is perhaps more important than ever—especially in a world where globalization impactseveryone.”

Robinson then introduced Terry McGraw, chairman of USCIB and theInternational Chamber of Commerce(ICC), and thanked him for his tireless championing of open global trade and investment as one of America’s most prominent business statesmen. Before he became chairman, McGraw received USCIB’s International Leadership Award in 2006.

McGraw spoke about the challenges U.S. business leaders will face in the future, and urged attendees to apply the wisdom of those who built the post-1945 world to today’s challenges. He also read a letter by President Barack Obamacongratulating USCIB on its anniversary and noting that pro-trade organizations like USCIB have “helped make this country what it is today.”

McGraw added: “I am confident that American leadership, and Americanbusinessleadership, will continue to play a critical, perhapsthecritical, role in determining whether our children can achieve a better future,” McGraw said. “With your support, USCIB will continue to serve as an unparalleled platform for focusing American business leadership on today’s, as well as tomorrow’s, most important challenges.”

McGraw then presented the 2015 International Leadership Award to Stephenson: “Randall, as we in the business community work to advance a common vision of openness, security and inclusion in the years ahead, we will continue to rely on the essential, continued leadership of companies like yours.”

The evening ended with a post-dinner reception of cordials and sweets, and a toast by Robinson to the next 70 years of American business leadership.

We are pleased to announce that Megan M. Giblin joined USCIB as our new director of Customs and Trade Facilitation. Megan brings strong a customs background with nearly a decade of experience in the field. She spent most of her career at HP as a business operations manager for global trade, where she worked on customs and trade policy matters, including trade facilitation. During her time at HP, she worked closely with the ICC Customs Commission and the World Customs Organization. Additionally, Megan served as a cleared advisor to USTR and DOC on the Customs and Trade Facilitation Advisory Committee, which she co-chaired. Further, she has also worked with many of the company representatives that are on USCIB’s Customs Committee including the chair.

USCIB Vice Chair Dennis Nally Begins ICC Leadership Term

ICC announced the appointment of Dennis Nally, chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers International (PwC) and vice chairman of USCIB, as a new vice chairman of ICC. Nally has served as chairman of PwC since 2009. He is an expert on issues affecting the global capital markets and the professional services profession, and also leads many of PwC’s corporate responsibility efforts. The ICC World Council meeting in July also saw five new appointments to the ICC Executive Board. They were: John Denton (Corrs Chambers Westgarth); Daniel Feffer (Suzano); Robert Gutsche (KPMG); Mari Pangestu (former Trade Minister of Indonesia); Yassin Saeed Al Suroor (Al Suroor United Group).

USCIB’s Meyerstein Reappointed to Key Trade-Labor Panel

On August 25, U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez appointed Ariel Meyerstein to serve another term as member of the National Advisory Committee for Labor Provisions of U.S. Free Trade Agreements (NAC). In this capacity, Meyerstein will serve on a multi-stakeholder Advisory Committee that advises the Secretary of Labor through the Bureau of International Labor Affairs on the implementation of labor provisions in existing U.S. free trade agreements with labor provisions (currently 19). “I’m honored to continue serving in this important role,” said
Meyerstein. As a member of the NAC, Meyerstein will help assure that the implementation of existing agreements help to level the playing field for global businesses by continuing to develop U.S. trade partners’ capacity for regulating their own labor markets by assuring for worker protections in line with the standards in U.S. law and policy.

Remembering Bill Matteson, a Longtime USCIB Champion

We are saddened to report the passing in May of William B. Matteson, a longtime member and supporter of USCIB who served as vice chairman from 1986 to 1999 and also served as chairman of BIAC, the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD. A native of Westchester County, New York, Bill graduated from Harvard Law School and clerked for Justice Harold Burton in the United States Supreme Court before joining the Debevoise & Plimpton law firm in 1955, where he went on to become partner in 1961. He headed the Paris office of Debevoise from 1973 to 1976 and was presiding partner of the firm from 1988 to 1993.

New USCIB Members

We are delighted to welcome the following companies and organizations as the latest additions to USCIB’s diverse
membership:

The Chemours Company
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company
Jones Day Repsol

To learn more about how USCIB membership can benefit your organization, contact Alison Hoiem (202-682-1291
or ahoiem@uscib.org).

]]>New Hires Boost USCIB’s Work on Policy, Business Development and Trade Serviceshttps://www.uscib.org/new-hires-boost-uscibs-work-on-policy-business-development-and-trade-services/
Wed, 01 Jul 2015 17:49:17 +0000http://www.uscib.org/?p=18085We are delighted to welcome six new additions to our Policy, Membership and Business Development teams. Darren Maynard joins USCIB as the senior director for Carnet Product Development and Regulatory Affairs, who is responsible for relationships with ATA Carnet Service Providers and strengthening the operations for Carnet issuance, marketing, and compliance. Darren has a background in the export and trade services field, working at IBM for 12 years before moving on to run a number of start-up technology companies.

Also in Trade Services, Derek Leite has come aboard as USCIB’s director for Trade Services and Carnet Services Liason to help our Trade Services team develop the Carnet product. Derek graduated from North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC) with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He has worked in sales and product development for 9 years at Cisco, IBM and A Plus Performance Computing. He has successfully run his own business for 12 years in New York.

In addition, David Murphy joined as a consultant with USCIB, serving as acting vice president of finance to support our accounting and finance teams. David is a certified public accountant with 23 years of experience. He has also worked as an auditor with Deloitte.

Also, Eric Robinson is USCIB’s new accounting and claims mitigation associate. Eric started out with USCIB in the summer of 2013 as an intern working closely with the accounting department, and returned again in June 2014 working with accounting and with the ATA Carnet team. He graduated from the University of Delaware in 2014 with a major in English and minors in Economics, Interactive Media and Design, and Journalism as well as a certificate of Business.

Christopher Olsen joined USCIB’s Washington, D.C. office in June as the new policy and program assistant. Chris comes to USCIB from the Atlantic Council, where he was first an intern, then a project assistant with the organization’s Millennium Leadership Program. Prior to the Atlantic Council, he was an economic security intern at the EastWest Institute after earning his Bachelor’s degree in international affairs and history at James Madison University in Virginia.

And Shertease Wheeler joined USCIB in May as our event planner. Shertease graduated from Hampton University in Virginia with a major in Print Journalism and has eight years of event planning experience. She will work with the policy department to support many upcoming programs scheduled throughout the year both in New York and Washington, D.C.

Welcome to all our new USCIB team members!

New USCIB Members

We are delighted to welcome the following companies and organizations as the latest additions to USCIB’s diverse membership:

Starbucks Coffee Company
American World Trade Chamber of Commerce
St. Louis Regional Chamber of Commerce

To learn more about how USCIB membership can benefit your organization, contact Alison Hoiem (202-682-1291 or ahoiem@uscib.org).

USCIB invites you to our annual dinner as we return to New York this year to honor long-time member AT&T! This gala event attracts several hundred industry leaders, government officials and members of the diplomatic community to celebrate open markets and the recipient of USCIB’s highest honor.

Randall Stephenson is chairman and chief executive officer of AT&T Inc., a global leader in providing fast, highly secure and mobile connectivity to everything on the Internet – everywhere, at every moment and on every device.

Established in 1980, USCIB’s International Leadership Award is presented to a senior business executive who has made significant policy contributions to world trade and investment, and to improving the global competitive framework in which American business operates. Join us for what will be a truly memorable evening!

Ed Potter, chair of USCIB’s Labor and Employment Policy Committee and Coca-Cola’s director of global workplace rights, has spent nearly half his life representing U.S. businesses at the annual International Labor Organization (ILO) Conference. Last summer, Potter attended his 33rd and final ILO Conference in Geneva, more than any other American business representative. He will retire in June 2015.

Potter’s unparalleled leadership at the conference – and the relationships he has brokered and nurtured along the way – have had a positive impact on the global landscape of international labor standards.

“Ed Potter’s record of achievement at the ILO speaks for itself,” said Guy Rider, director general of the ILO. “He served 17 years as the U.S. Employers’ delegate to our annual Conference. During that time, he took on the responsibility of spokesperson of the world’s employers in several key discussions.”

Last June, USCIB honored Potter’s 33 years of ILO service with a special farewell dinner in Geneva.

“It’s a humbling validation of my work with the ILO,” Potter said. “I’ve left the conference every year feeling proud of the fact that, in some small way, we helped improve the lives of workers somewhere in the world.”

Staff Changes at ICC

The International Chamber of Commerce Secretariat has announced the appointments of Philip Kucharski as chief operating officer and Remi Faure as chief financial officer. Kucharski’s in-depth knowledge of ICC, and many of the
team at the ICC Secretariat, will ensure that he is able to hit the ground running when he begins his tenure in January. Faure has shown true leadership of the financial areas of ICC in the past few months. “I am pleased to be able to promote
internally for this position,” said ICC Secretary General John Danilovich.

New USCIB Members

We are delighted to welcome the following companies and organizations as the latest additions to USCIB’s diverse membership: